Abstract: An endoscope for performing minimally invasive surgery includes along a portion of its length a means such as a groove for slidingly engaging with a corresponding means such as a tongue in a second endoscope and guiding the second endoscope into the patient. Multiple endoscope may be connected together and guide one another into or out of a patient. The tongue structure may include incongruous portions to permit two endoscopes to be partially connected and guided by one another.

Abstract: An endoscope for performing minimally invasive surgery includes along a portion of its length a means such as a groove for slidingly engaging with a corresponding means such as a tongue in a second endoscope and guiding the second endoscope into the patient. Multiple endoscope may be connected together and guide one another into or out of a patient. The tongue structure may include incongruous portions to permit two endoscopes to be partially connected and guided by one another.

Abstract: A trocar tube incorporating integral irrigation and aspiration capabilities with positioning control. These capabilities can be used in conjunction with endoscopic tools which can be fed through the trocar housing. Specifically, the invention can be used to clean the lens of a laparoscope while it is in place in the trocar tube to eliminate the need for removal of the laparoscope for cleansing. The trocar tube telescoping tip permits independent control of the position of irrigation and aspiration while other tools are in use. Trocar tube channels in the wall of the trocar tube enable fluids to be fed to the distal end of the trocar tube, and enable material to be aspirated from the distal end of the trocar tube. The trocar tube channels are connected to a fluid source and an aspirating device. Aspiration and fluid flow are controlled by a foot pedal or other device that allows hands-free control.

Abstract: An endoscope for performing minimally invasive surgery includes along a portion of its length a means such as a groove for slidingly engaging with a corresponding means such as a tongue in a second endoscope and guiding the second endoscope into the patient. Multiple endoscope may be connected together and guide one another into or out of a patient. The tongue structure may include incongruous portions to permit two endoscopes to be partially connected and guided by one another.

Abstract: An intraluminal molding device in accordance with the disclosed invention has an elongated body member having a series of independent inflatable sections along its length. As lest one inflating/deflating line extends from each inflatable section to a distal end of the body member. The device may be used for positioning, isolating or identifying a lumen by giving shape to a collapsed viscus. The device may also be sued to visualize intraluminal structure or control pressure within a hollow viscus.

Abstract: An intraluminal device has an elongated body member having a series of independent inflatable sections along its length. At least one inflating/deflating line extends from each inflatable section to a distal end of the body member. The device may be used for positing, isolating or identifying a lumen by giving shape to a collapsed viscus. The device may also be used to visualize intraluminal structure or control pressure within a hollow viscus from within the hollow viscus.

Abstract: A trocar tube incorporating integral irrigation and aspiration capabilities with positioning control. These capabilities can be used in conjunction with endoscopic tools which can be fed through the trocar housing. Specifically, the invention can be used to clean the lens of a laparoscope while it is in place in the trocar tube to eliminate the need for removal of the laparoscope for cleansing. The trocar tube telescoping tip permits independent control of the position of irrigation and aspiration while other tools are in use. Trocar tube channels in the wall of the trocar tube enable fluids to be fed to the distal end of the trocar tube, and enable material to be aspirated from the distal end of the trocar tube. The trocar tube channels are connected to a fluid source and an aspirating device. Aspiration and fluid flow are controlled by a foot pedal or other device that allows hands-free control.

Abstract: An intraluminal device has an elongated body member having a series of independent inflatable sections along its length. At least one inflating/deflating line extends from each inflatable section to a distal end of the body member. The device may be used for positing, isolating or identifying a lumen by giving shape to a collapsed viscus. The device may also be used to visualize intraluminal structure or control pressure within a hollow viscus from within the hollow viscus.

Abstract: A protective inguinal perineal element for male and female patients includes a cushion that, when necessary, can have a topical substance applied to it which can be released to the patient.

Abstract: An intraluminal device has an elongated body member having a series of independent inflatable sections along its length. At least one inflating/deflating line extends from each inflatable section to a distal end of the body member. The device may be used for positing, isolating or identifying a lumen by giving shape to a collapsed viscus. The device may also be used to visualize intraluminal structure or control pressure within a hollow viscus from within the hollow viscus.

Abstract: An intestinal intraluminal reconstruction and resection device includes a mechanism for intussusception of the bowel, a bowel anastomosis mechanism and a mechanism for severing the resected bowel. The surgical device allows the user to carry out intraluminally an anastomosis first, prior to resection of the intestine or any hollow viscus, therefore not exposing the dirty intraluminal content to the clean abdominal or thoracic cavities. The above is achieved by first intussuscepting the hollow viscus, then anastomosis and finally intraluminal resection.

Abstract: The one-piece surgical mask and cap includes a substantially planar blank with an eye opening formed therethrough. Straps are attached to the side edges of the blank for connecting the one-piece surgical mask and cap to the user. The upper portion of the blank above the eye opening forms the cap portion, and the lower portion of the blank below the eye opening forms the mask portion. Elastic bands may be provided surrounding the eye opening to further secure the one-piece surgical mask and cap of the present invention to the user.

Abstract: An artificial anus includes a hollow tubular support member, having a cylindrical body portion and a pair of radially-extending flanges at the two opposed open ends of the body portion, and a releasable plug for sealingly closing the hollow support member. The support member is suitable for implantation within an opening in the abdominal wall of the patient, with one of the radially-extending flanges lying upon the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, the other of the flanges lying on the fascia or peritoneum, and the end of the patient's colon received within the support member. Inner and outer layers of at least a portion of the cylindrical body portion are capable of receiving soft tissue ingrowth. A pressure transducer of electrical contact is provided on the support member and connected to an electrode in contact with the patient's skin, so that when the colon becomes pressurized the patient is signalled that the plug should be released.

Abstract: An artificial anus includes a hollow tubular support member, having a cylindrical body portion and a pair of radially-extending flanges at the two opposed open ends of the body portion, and a releasable plug for sealingly closing the hollow support member. The support member is suitable for implantation within an opening in the abdominal wall of the patient, with one of the radially-extending flanges lying upon the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, the other of the flanges lying on the fascia or peritoneum, and the end of the patient's colon received within the support member. Inner and outer layers of at least a portion of the cylindrical body portion are capable of receiving soft tissue ingrowth. A pressure transducer or electrical contact is provided on the support member and connected to an electrode in contact with the patient's skin, so that when the colon becomes pressurized the patient is signalled that the plug should be released.

Abstract: A technique whereby leakage from an anastomosis and problems directly resulting from such leakage are eliminated. The technique is an anastomosis procedure for securing intraintestinal bypass graft formed preferably of a soft latex or silastic tube with a radiopaque axial line for x-ray observation after implantation. The ends of the tube are sutured or stapled to the mucosal or submucosal linings, and after a period of about 10 to 15 days during which the anastomosis is healing, the bypass graft separates naturally from the wall of the intestine, and is finally expelled naturally from the anus. This graft prevents leakage at the anastomosis and thus substitutes for and makes unnecessary a colostomy or any other diversionary procedure.

Abstract: An artificial anus includes a hollow tubular support member, having a cylindrical body portion and a pair of radially-extending flanges at the two opposed open ends of the body portion, and a releasable plug for sealingly closing the hollow support member. The support member is suitable for implantation within an opening in the abdominal wall of the patient, with one of the radially-extending flanges lying upon the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, the other of the flanges lying on the fascia or peritoneum, and the end of the patient's colon received within the support member. Inner and outer layers of at least a portion of the cylindrical body portion are capable of receiving soft tissue ingrowth. A pressure transducer or electrical contact is provided on the support member and connected to an electrode in contact with the patient's skin, so that when the colon becomes pressurized the patient is signalled that the plug should be released.

Abstract: The intestinal graft is a graft formed of a thin wall latex or silastic tube of various widths and lengths. The upper circular end of the tube and vertical seam are reinforced by fabric which contains a radiopaque filament. When the graft is joined to the submucosal layer of the bowel proximal to the usual anastomosis, it will prevent salivary esophago-gastrointestinal secretions, food, and fecal flow from coming in contact with the anastomotic closure site.The graft will thus prevent leakage from any intestinal anastomosis and will guarantee a healed anastomosis by the time the graft is naturally expelled from rectum.

Abstract: An improved intraintestinal bypass graft for attachment in the lumen of a resectioned intestine or duct upstream of the anastomosis site in order to protect the healing anastomosis comprises an elongated tube formed of a thin, highly flexible, water-impervious wall material terminating at its distal end in a short, reduced diameter nipple. The surgical procedure for implanting the bypass graft can be simplified and shortened in time by readily fitting the distal nipple over one end of an elongated pliable leader, or alternatively over the terminal anvil nut of a circular anastomosis surgical stapler, and then drawing the leader or stapler body through the patient's anus to pull the distal end of the bypass graft out of the anus. The need to tie the distal end of the bypass graft to the leader or surgical stapler is eliminated.